Silent and Failsafe Overflow System

[Adamc1303]

In all the bean animal photos I see that the bulkheads are drilled on the back of the over flow box. Will it work the same way if they are drilled the traditional way at the bottom of the box?

 

[Adamc1303]

Also will it only work with the bulkhead being larger then the line plumbed to it (1" bulkhead with bushing to a 1.5" line)? Or can it work with just having a 1.5" bulkhead using a 1.5" line?

Thanks,

Adam

 

[jwilson]

I have a question, how can this sort of plumbing be applied to a tank that can not be drilled?

I don't see how it can - unless you have a siphon tube to an external box.

In all the bean animal photos I see that the bulkheads are drilled on the back of the over flow box. Will it work the same way if they are drilled the traditional way at the bottom of the box?

Yes, as long as the elbows are positioned in the same place relative to the water line.

Also will it only work with the bulkhead being larger then the line plumbed to it (1" bulkhead with bushing to a 1.5" line)? Or can it work with just having a 1.5" bulkhead using a 1.5" line?

That will work fine.

 

[Adamc1303]

Thanks for your help so far! Although I have more and more questions. I saw some youtube videos where the ball valves where on the bottom of the water line right before the sump where the water was exiting. Is this a simple mistake or is there something beneficial to that setup?

 

[autodave]

Thanks for your help so far! Although I have more and more questions. I saw some youtube videos where the ball valves where on the bottom of the water line right before the sump where the water was exiting. Is this a simple mistake or is there something beneficial to that setup?

I think some people were putting it lower to help start the siphon quicker,(longer runs and not so straight shot to the sump). I have mine up high,I followed the design and have never had a single problem in 2 years

 

[stormrider27]

Min. External Box Height

Min. External Box Height

I am incorporating a shadow box into my build so I want as much open space on my back wall as possible, my tank is a 125 long so I only have 22 vertical inches to work with. I searched and searched and searched but I can't find any rule of thumb on what is the minimum height I can safely get away with on an external box (I am using 1" bulkheads and plumbing is coming up from the bottom of the box). I am hoping I can get away with 3.75-4" but I don't know if that will be deep/high enough so any and all help will be appreciated as I want to order my glass tomorrow.

Thanks!!:thumbsup:

 

[James77]

Looking for other low profile internal weir ideas.....

I have a Bean overflow on my 120, the internal weir is 2'x 5" high and 3" front to back. I want to make it smaller but just as effective. Maybe 18x4x1.75"??

The biggest obstacle is the street 90s. I dont really care if I build the weir around them, since I have yet to need full access, I know it is not ideal but if I had that serious a problem I could always cut open and rebuild the weir.

I saw this thread, not a bad idea at all:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=19407061&postcount=3866

I also thought of taking a streeet 90, heating it with a torch and flattening it some.....any other good (if those are good) ideas out there? I really want low profile as possible. An external weir is not even really out ot the question, since the pipes of this setup are inside a wall and the tank sits mostly flush against the wall, I have about 5" of room in the back by 30" wide. Access is not the easiest, since the opposite side of the wall is my bedroom with a dreeser their. I currently have a faux wall screwed there in place/

 

[jdcook72]

I posted this a few pages back
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20164536&postcount=4623
I'm thinking you will be able to do away with the 90s completely, the overflow will only have to be deep enough (front to back) to accommodate the bulkheads with some space for flow. I was thinking to use sponges inside the bulkhead to filter but you could also use a short stem with slots cut into it flushed to the face of the box like with the elbows flushed to the bottom of the box.

 

[James77]

I posted this a few pages back
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20164536&postcount=4623
I'm thinking you will be able to do away with the 90s completely, the overflow will only have to be deep enough (front to back) to accommodate the bulkheads with some space for flow. I was thinking to use sponges inside the bulkhead to filter but you could also use a short stem with slots cut into it flushed to the face of the box like with the elbows flushed to the bottom of the box.

Yes, I saw your post as well....interesting as well, and creative . I guess there is also only so much too that we can low profile these while still having enough room for some flow and siphon "backup"....ie we should have more than a thimblefull in reserve for siphoning, otherwise you could cut it too close maybe?

Just a couple ideas on sealing that edge, I don't know if it was solved since I am researching 1,000 things readying myself for a total overhaul. If it is acrylic, you could use a thicker piece and make a groove, gluing a rubber "gasket" like screen repair rubber to seal it. If glass, maybe you could glue a wider piece of rubber( like the part that fell off my windshield wiper the other night ) on one of the edges so that it meets up with the weir and it would close a gap?

Thanks for another idea

 

[rreveron]

I'm planning to use this overflow design for my 210G build. I will be using a Reeflo Hamerhead as the main pump which is rated around 5000gph. From the table I see that a 1.5" bulkhead and pipe should be able to handle the flow. The head will be around 53" in a straight down drop from tank to sump.
Do you think that 1.5" is the correct selection or should I consider a bigger pipe?

 

[stormrider27]

I am incorporating a shadow box into my build so I want as much open space on my back wall as possible, my tank is a 125 long so I only have 22 vertical inches to work with. I searched and searched and searched but I can't find any rule of thumb on what is the minimum height I can safely get away with on an external box (I am using 1" bulkheads and plumbing is coming up from the bottom of the box). I am hoping I can get away with 3.75-4" but I don't know if that will be deep/high enough so any and all help will be appreciated as I want to order my glass tomorrow.

Thanks!!:thumbsup:

Anyone? I did more searching and it appears to me that the water level needs to get around an 1" above the top of the elbow of the syphon to achieve enough head pressure to kick in the syphon. Is that correct or am I still off in left field?

 

[DownwardDawg]

I'm trying to finish my tank plumbing and am having a difficult time making the final decision. I have a 72" 125 gal tank with dual overflows. (one towards each corner) I had decided on the herbie but I'm reading that it may be difficult to fine tune with two overflows. I need something that truly is "set and forget". I'm reading as much of the thread as I can but I wanted some clarity. If I use the "left" overflow box as the siphon and open channel drains, how high in the overflow box do I leave the standpipes? Do they both get elbows and what is the height distance between the two?

I should add that each overflow has a 1" hole and a 3/4" hole.

I have more questions but I'll start with those. Thanks for a great thread!!!

 

[TeslaReef]

DownwardDawg,
I too have a similiar setup I would to do. I have few pics a couple pages back of a modified coast to coast but I can't work up the nerve to cut into my new tanks overflows like that. I haven't setup mine yet, hopefully you come up with a good option. The best I've seen without a mod is to fill up one overflow with sand.

Phillip

 

[stormrider27]

I'm trying to finish my tank plumbing and am having a difficult time making the final decision. I have a 72" 125 gal tank with dual overflows. (one towards each corner) I had decided on the herbie but I'm reading that it may be difficult to fine tune with two overflows. I need something that truly is "set and forget". I'm reading as much of the thread as I can but I wanted some clarity. If I use the "left" overflow box as the siphon and open channel drains, how high in the overflow box do I leave the standpipes? Do they both get elbows and what is the height distance between the two?

I should add that each overflow has a 1" hole and a 3/4" hole.

I have more questions but I'll start with those. Thanks for a great thread!!!

DownwardDawg,
I too have a similiar setup I would to do. I have few pics a couple pages back of a modified coast to coast but I can't work up the nerve to cut into my new tanks overflows like that. I haven't setup mine yet, hopefully you come up with a good option. The best I've seen without a mod is to fill up one overflow with sand.

Phillip

Both of you should benefit from this thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1934188

 

[DownwardDawg]

Thanks. I read through it and he did a great job but I'm not that interested in taking out my overflow boxes. My "boss" would $%^&!!! Hopefully with more reading I'll make my decision soon. Maybe somebody who has done this will come along and help me out with a good description and pics!!

 

[stormrider27]

I am incorporating a shadow box into my build so I want as much open space on my back wall as possible, my tank is a 125 long so I only have 22 vertical inches to work with. I searched and searched and searched but I can't find any rule of thumb on what is the minimum height I can safely get away with on an external box (I am using 1" bulkheads and plumbing is coming up from the bottom of the box). I am hoping I can get away with 3.75-4" but I don't know if that will be deep/high enough so any and all help will be appreciated as I want to order my glass tomorrow.

Thanks!!:thumbsup:

Anyone? I did more searching and it appears to me that the water level needs to get around an 1" above the top of the elbow of the syphon to achieve enough head pressure to kick in the syphon. Is that correct or am I still off in left field?

Anyone???? :bounce3:

Thanks!
Mark

 

[inky]

Does this system work if there is no overflow? ie pipes are in the tank with strainers on the end of the pipes to prevent fish and inverts getting into the pipes?

 

[Mybabynews]

Hi - I have your plans and am trying to assemble the parts. I've tried here and there and I'm not find one easy place for everything. Suggestions? Is anybody selling a kit? Thanks!

 

[Waggs]

Hi - I have your plans and am trying to assemble the parts. I've tried here and there and I'm not find one easy place for everything. Suggestions? Is anybody selling a kit? Thanks!

Wow a puzzle? Can I join in? :dance:

 

[rreveron]

Any suggestions?

Any suggestions?

I'm planning to use this overflow design for my 210G build. I will be using a Reeflo Hamerhead as the main pump which is rated around 5000gph. From the table I see that a 1.5" bulkhead and pipe should be able to handle the flow. The head will be around 53" in a straight down drop from tank to sump.
Do you think that 1.5" is the correct selection or should I consider a bigger pipe?